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Kealy - Overland must continue

Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said The Overland passenger rail service is not saved yet and remains in doubt.

Last week the South Australian government reported that it will give more than $1 million over the next three years to support The Overland train service between Adelaide and Melbourne.

“The Labor government must also commit funding in order to allow The Overland service to continue beyond 2015,” Ms Kealy said.

“I have written to the Minister for Public Transport and recently spoken in Parliament about The Overland which is our only passenger rail service in the Wimmera.

“I have called on the Labor government to acknowledge the importance of The Overland to the Wimmera and urgently finalise an agreement similar to the South Australian Government to ensure that the service continues and is not reduced.

“Earlier this year concerns were raised with me about the possibility of The Overland passenger rail service ceasing to operate. Bookings are unable to be made after 31 December 2015 and future timetables have not been published.

“The Overland provides a vital link for our region to connect with Melbourne and Adelaide and the Labor government needs to quickly come to the party and commit funding to ensure our passenger rail service continues.

“I remind everyone that it’s not too late to provide input into the State Governments review of Public Transport in regional Victoria, with comments accepted until 11 September 2015.

Public Transport Victoria (PTV) is undertaking a review of services in regional Victoria to help form a Network Development Plan.

“PTV has stated that the Network Development Plan is to be built from local ideas about what our local communities need from public transport. This is an opportunity to highlight the vital need for improved public transport services to our region, including passenger rail services, Ms Kealy said.

“Survey forms are available at my office located at 114 Firebrace Street, Horsham and can be posted out upon request by phoning 5382 0097,” she said.